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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2007 5:33:50 GMT 8
From the book "Forbidden Diary" by a civilian American woman living in Baguio with her family at the start of the war, Natalie Crouter was her name. An interesting passage on December 18, 1941. Still living in her own house at this time. She ties Baguio to Corregidor.
"As I finished coffee at lunch, trying to get some kind of news from the Radio except "everything is under control." I heard a car stop and someone running down the stone steps. It was "Blondie" Baker, an American Engineer at the mines. He came in the door, took my hand and said, " I've come to say goodbye" He was smiling a little, but so serious and deeply moved that he was breathless. I faltered "goodbye? where are you going?" and hung onto his hand. He answered, fiercely proud, " To Corregidor. I'm going to fight for my country" For the first time it came home to me that the Radio was only stalling, though underneath had been that feeling of France falling again as the street was still a trek of natives carrying bundles out---anywhere. I suggested a cup of coffee but others waited in the car. We said so little and looked so much. He was to be in charge of some mine tunnel workers............ I went to the porch for a last handshake and waved to them as they leaned out of the car windows, the car slowly sliding down Outlook Drive. Like a host of others they looked really happy to be doing something, not waiting, but in action at last. They looked awfully young and serious as young people do. I called " We'll be seeing you." Every day brings changes and we live one day at a time.
Only 4 days ago when he drank beer with us on our shelter roof. we didn't know it would be our last visit together--for some months at least."
How many tunnels were dug after the war started on Corregidor? Looks like "Blondie" dug some.........
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 0:28:09 GMT 8
June 3, 1943 From "THE NEWS" Camp paper
" MORE THAN 21 LONG TONS OF FOOD WERE CONSUMED BY CAMP HOLMES MEMBERS IN MAY. TOTAL COST p 7,606.43 FOR 508 MEMBERS WAS BROUGHT IN, IN ADDITION TO BOUGHT FOOD AT THE STORE AND PRIVATE PACKAGES. 21,781 KILOS OF FOOD OF WHICH 2,261 KILOS OF MEAT ETC. COSTING P2,411.65,( 659.5 KILOS OF BEEF AT P.73 CENTS, 1,413 KILOS OF PORK AT P1.05, 65 KILOS OF FISH AT P1.65, PLUS 3300 EGGS AT 10 CENTS EACH AND 3 KILOS OF LIVER AT P7.) WE ATE 2,343.3 KILOS OF CAMOTES, 288 KILOS OF BAGUIO POTATOES, 1,265 KILOS OF TOMATOES. WITH A NEW PURCHASING POLICY , OKRA DECLINED TO 8 KILOS, SINKAMAS TO 45 KILOS. WE ATE 2,100 KILOS OF PAPAYA, 1,320 KILOS OF HUBBARD SQUASH, 335 KILOS OF SALT, 55 SACKS OF RICE. SOME OF THE MANY ITEMS. THE KITCHEN, THROUGH ITS SALE OF YEAST BREAD, RICE FLOUR, CASSAVA FLOUR, AND GRINDING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS OF CAMP, HAS BEEN ABLE TO ADD BUCACO, CAMOTES, GREEN ONIONS, BANANAS, COFFEE, VINEGAR, TOMATOES, GARLIC, SPICES, PAPAYA AND BAKING SODA TO OUR FOOD CONSUMPTION SAYS A RECENT COMMITTEE REPORT. COFFEE, VINEGAR, SPICES AND SODA WERE ITEMS UNOBTAINABLE EXCEPT THROUGH THE STORE.
JUNE 10, 1943
NO MEAT FOR FRIDAY SUPPER AND THIS IS ONLY THE START OF SHORT RATIONS DUE TO NONE IN THE MARKET, SO WE ARE TO HAVE BEANS, ONIONS, TOMATO AND GREEN PEPPER STEW. WE ARE FATLESS, MEATLESS, SUGARLESS, ALMOST SOAPLESS AND PAPERLESS AND RECIPES NEEDED FOR SUCH CONDITIONS.
A FEW MORE QUOTES FROM FORBIDDEN DIARY.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2007 4:34:32 GMT 8
DEC.4 1943 "WE NOW RECEIVE 150 GRAMS OF RICE A DAY. AT THE START OF THE WAR MANILA RATIONS WERE 200 FOR WELL PEOPLE, 350 FOR SICK OR WEAK, CONSIDERED A MINIMUM. THE PRESENT SACK IS MOLDY, VERY BAD, SO WE WILL ALL BE FLAD WHEN IT IS GONE." DEC.10, 1943 THERE WAS A MEETING OF ALL AMERICANS IN THE DINING HALL TO SAY YES OR NO ON REPARATION. WE DO HAVE A CHOICE AND WE FOUR SAID NO BECAUSE THE VOYAGE COULD BE AWFUL. AFTER 2 TEARS OF IT IN HERE, IT SHOULD BE EASY TO STICK OUT THE REST. COULD IT BE WORSE THAN THESE LAST MONTHS? WE ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT. THERE WAS NO ASSURANCE OF ANOTHER BOAT WHICHEVER WAY THE VOTE GOES."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2007 4:54:06 GMT 8
DEC.15, 1943 "HAYAKAWA ( POST COMMANDER) WITH A GOLF CLUB AND 3 GUARDS IN HIGH ARMY BOOTS ARE CREEPING OUT IN THE BACK, BEATING THE BRUSH- NOT ON MILITARY MANEUVERS- BUT HUNTING FOR THEIR STRAYED MOTHER HEN AND 6 CHICKS WHICH HAVE LEFT THE GUARD HOUSE AND MOVED TO A NEW SPOT. THIS IS FOOD WALKING OUT THE FRONT DOOR, THE REASON FOR HEAVY ATTACK AND SURROUNDING.
DEC.16TH 1943 THERE IS A MARVELOUS STORY OF NELSON AND ANOTHER MECHANIC AT TUGEUGUERAO WHO WERE PUT INTO SERVICING A BIG TRANSPORT PLANE. THEY HOPPED IN AND KNOCKED DOWN THE JAPANESE GUARD. THEY GOT AWAY TOO. BUT HOW WILL THEY FIND A LANDING --WITH 2 FRIED EGGS ON THE WINGS?"
DEC.23,1943 IT WAS A 15000 MILE TRIP ( FOR THE RED CROSS SUPPLIES) FROM THE UNITED STATES VIA SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA AND MANILA .OUR MEN BROUGHT BACK WITH THEM 437 POMOLOS AND 50 COCONUTS PURCHASED IN THE LOWLANDS. THE RED CROSS CASES TOTAL NEARLY 18 TONS."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2007 5:39:09 GMT 8
DEC. 23, 1943 RED CROSS PACKAGES " IT WAS A 15,000 MILE TRIP ( FOR THE RED CROSS SUPPLIES) FROM THE UNITED STATES VIA SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA AND MANILA.OUR MEN BROUGHT BACK WITH THEM 437 POMOLOS AND 20 COCONUTS FROM THE LOWLANDS. THE RED CROSS CASES TOTALED NEARLY 18 TONS. THE COMMANDANT EMPHASIZED THAT NO RELIEF SUPPLIES OF ANY AMOUT ARE TO BE SENT OUT SIDE THE CAMP. THE SUPPLIES ARE IN PAPER CARTONS IN CLEAN SMELLING PINE BOXES.THE 520 FOOD PARCELS WEIGH 24,400 POUNDS. THE INSTRUMENTS, SURGICAL DRESSINGS AND FIRST AID KITS IN 34 CASES ARE WORTH A FORTUNE IN REAL MONEY THESE DAYS. MANY ARE UNOBTAINABLE AT ANY PRICE.
FROM THE CAMP HOLMES NEWS:
YOU ARE ADVISED TO SAVE FOOD PARCELS FOR A RAINY DAY. KEPT IN A COOL DRY PLACE. THE WHOLE KIT CAN BE KEPT AS IT IS EXCEPT THE PRUNES, MAY MOLD, AND THE POWER CHOCOLATE BARS, SHOULD BE KEPT VERY DRY"
THIS IS WHY THE OLD GOLD WERE REMOVED FROM THE BOXES: "FREEDOM. OUR HERITAGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FREEDOM-WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RELINQUISH IT-- OUR ARMED FORCES WILL SAFEGUARD THAT HERITAGE, IF WE TOO, DO OUR SHARE TO PRESERVE IT" IT WAS PRINTED ON EACH ONE. WE WILL GET THE CIGARETTES MINUS THE ENCOURAGEMENT."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2007 6:03:20 GMT 8
DEC.25TH 1943
(RED CROSS BOXES)
" THE BOX BREATHED AMERICAN EFFICIENCY, EVEN TO THE LITTLE BROWN ENVELOPES WITH CAN OPENERS. NOTHING WAS FORGOTTEN AND THE CONTENTS WERE CONCENTRATED ESSENCE OF ALL WE LACKED FOR 2 YEARS, ALL WE NEED FOR NOW AND PERHAPS 3 MONTHS TO COME. THE CARE ,THOUGHT, RESEARCH, LONG DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING THAT WENT INTO IT OZZED OUT OF EVERY CORNER. WE COULD IMAGINE EVERY SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN PRISONER IN EVERY OCCUPIED COUNTRY OPENING ONE JUST AS WE WERE, SINGING WITH RELIEF AND BOUNDING SPIRITS. EACH CAN IS A MEAL IN ITSELF, PERFECTLY BALANCED. PRIDE IN AMERICA STRETCHED OUT AS WE REALIZED IT WAS COVERING THE WORLD. NO LONGER ARE WE HAUNTED BY THE FEAR OF FAMINE. THE CASES STAND FOR SECURITY.SHOULDERS LIFTED, BACKS STRAIGHTENED, EYES LITE UP FROM WITHIN. THE BODY AND MIND REJUVENATED AS EVERYONE WORKED BEYOND EXPECTED CAPACITY, DUTIES DOUBLED CHEERFULLY AND EAGERLY. IT WAS A GREAT DAY , A NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN FEELING AFTER THE DEPTHS AND DEFEAT OF LAST YEAR.
BEST OF ALL- EVERYONE WAS EQUAL! EACH PACKAGE WAS EVEN AS TO WEIGHT AND CONTENTS. NO DISCRIMINATION, NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGE! FATHER AND BABY EACH HAD THE SAME.CASH ON HAND NO LONGER HAS TO BE SAVED FOR FUTURE FEARS. IF ATTACK COMES AND TRANSPORT CEASES, AND RICE STOPS COMING, WE CAN TAKE IT, FOR THE PACKAGES ARE HERE! WE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, WE ARE REMEMBERED!"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2008 5:04:37 GMT 8
I had talked to Paul about adding more to this stream and we agreed I would but as I read the book, I could have added most that I was reading as it is an invaluable source of firsthand information on life as a civilian in concentration camp in the Baguio area and then in Bilibid for the destruction of Manila and finally rescue in the nick of time by U.S forces. I highly recommend this book to all. One last passage from the author as she meets MacArthur in Bilibid shortly after rescue. February 7, 1945 "ABOUT 10:00 AM THERE WERE BIG CHEERS IN THE HALL AND SOMEONE SAID IT WAS GENERAL MACARTHUR AND HIS STAFF. I WAS TO DULL AND WEARY TO GO AND LOOK AND NOT MUCH INTERESTED. STILL TRYING TO FUNCTION MENTALLY AS WELL AS PHYSICALLY. I WAS STANDING IN OUR SPACE BY THE DOUBLE BUNK WHEN MACARTHUR CAME THROUGH THE DOOR AT THE FAR END OF THE ROOM. I STEPPED BACK AND MY MIND REGISTERED DISJOINTEDLY " HERE COMES ANOTHER COMMANDANT, DOWN THE LONG AISLE JUST LIKE OURA ( JAPANESE COMMANDER) DID, WAS IT LAST WEEK?" I WONDERED IF I SHOULD BOW FROM THE WAIST DOWN? I FELT HOPELESSLY MISSED UP. WHEN THE GENERAL PASSED THE BUNK HE TURNED AND LOOKED INTO MY FACE DIRECTLY.HE GRABBED MY HAND AND SHOOK IT, OVER AND OVER, UP AND DOWN.I WAS UTTERLY DUMB. I FELT AND LOOKED MORE MISERABLE AND WRETCHED EVERY SECOND. I COULD NOT SAY A WORD AND JUST LOOKED AT HIM SPEECHLESS AS HE PUMPED MY ARM UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN. NEXT ADDITION TO FOLLOW.........
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2008 5:25:25 GMT 8
FROM PREVIOUS ENTRY ON MACARTHUR VISIT.......
"ALL OF THE LAST 3 YEARS WAS IN MY MIND AND FACE, AND AT THIS ACTUAL, CONCRETE MOMENT OF RELEASE, THIS BIGGEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE, I FELT NO JOY OR RELIEF, ONLY DEEP SADNESS WHICH COULD NOT BE PUT INTO WORDS. THE GENERAL DID NOT SAY ANYTHING EITHER. WE JUST STOOD THERE PUMPING OUR ARMS UP AND DOWN, LOOKING AT EACH OTHER SEARCHINGLY. THEN HE WENT ON OUT THE DOOR. I WAS THE ONLY ONE HE STOPPED TO SPEAK TO IN THIS LONG ROOM, AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT-IT WASN'T RECOGNITION OF ANYONE HE KNEW OR THOUGHT WAS FAMILIAR. HE FELT DEEPLY MOVED AND THERE WAS INARTICULATE EXPRESSION OF IT, IN THE STRONG SPEECHLESS HANDSHAKE. NEITHER OF US COULD HAVE EXPRESSED ANY OF OUR THOUGHTS. IT WAS UNEXPECTED FOR ME. I WASN'T PREPARED FOR ANY PERSONNEL RECOGNITION AND WOULD HAVE BEEN SILENT IN ANY CASE. WHAT IS THERE TO SAY WHEN SOCIAL AMENITIES ARE OVERBOARD? IN A BRIEF MENTAL FLASH, I WAS IMPRESSED THAT HE HAD LOST THAT SOFT, SPOILED LOOK, WAS SOLID BRAWN-STEADY, HEAVY, FINED DOWN LIKE THE REST OF THE ARMY. THERE WAS NOTHING POLITICAL IN THE HANDSHAKE OR THE LOOK. HE WAS SINCERELY COMPREHENDING OF MY STRAINED FACE WHICH SHOWED WHAT ALL OF US HAD SUFFERED. HE MUST HAVE SENSED THAT NO ACTIVE SPARK OF ANY KIND EXISTED IN ME. THE LIGHTS HAD ALMOST GONE OUT. HE WAS DEEPLY SHOOKED AND SORRY FOR ALL OF US, AND LOOKED IT WITHOUT TRYING TO SAY SO. FOR THIS I WAS GRATEFUL. HE IS VERY HANDSOME AND LOOKED YOUNG AGAIN, NOT JADED LIKE THE LAST GLIMPSE I HAD OF HIM IN THE MANILA HOTEL LOBBY LONG AGO.THE PENTHOUSE LOOK HAD GONE. PERHAPS HE TO HAD LEARNED A LOT THROUGH DEFEAT".
A GREAT READ..........
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